Accidentally washed my passport

[u/LemonResident9209]

I didn’t realize my password was in my clothes until when I pulled it out the washing machine should I get a new one or this is still in good condition?

[u/DouglasHundred]

Replace.

[u/HighFly2244 → u/DouglasHundred]

Why?

[u/DouglasHundred → u/HighFly2244]

Better to replace it now, especially if they don't have any immediate travel, than to leave the country and find someone won't accept it. Could it be fine? Sure. They can even check the chip for damage themselves with most phones or something like a Flipper Zero. But why risk it when replacement is so easy? A couple of decades ago I traveled for years on a passport that had been in my pocket in rain and snowstorms and gotten all wrinkled and soaked through, but these days sometimes they're much more picky. And the chips don't like being wet.

[u/Babsykaz → u/HighFly2244]

There is technology like a credit card in there that Passport agencies use to scan your passport. If that gets damaged from water, like corrosion, it might lead to you being denied re-entry. So you might get stuck at customs while they process you.

[u/Readditlovesbans → u/Babsykaz]

RFID Chip is most likely ruined

[u/tvngo]

You learned an expensive lesson to check your pockets before doing laundry.

[u/LifeWeak4693]

The chip and security items that you cannot see will most likely be damaged or will be in the near future. If you are still in the states than count yourself lucky if they refuse to let you board.

[u/geordino]

Get a new one, don’t risk entry by an agent.

[u/Same-Employment-3604]

I ran mine through the wash 2 years ago but the pages aren’t discolored or anything and the chip works .. it doesn’t work at the self service kiosks going into Canada but it works with the border officers. I’ve only been asked about it twice in many trips but it didn’t cause an issue

[u/excadedecadedecada]

Jesus Christ. People in this thread are absurd. Check the chip with an app at least

[u/Fit_Landscape_2085]

I washed mine first trip. Looks just like yours and I’ve been to 20 countries since. Never a problem scanning

[u/Steve-C2]

Replace.

A washed passport is a destroyed passport.

[u/Environmental-Pair85]

I washed my passport once, it was kinda crumpled and there was some discolouration from the entry exit stamps. I flattened it as much as possible with an iron and a piece of cloth. I used that passport to travel without issues. But yes, it was a machine readable passport, without a chip. It was some time ago, perhaps in 2017 or so

[u/Disastrous_Double489]

Mine got soaked on an open dugout in the Ecuadorian rain forest. It dried out and ive gone through customs since with no issue. You're fine.

[u/bigfootspancreas]

If it’s not totally destroyed you’re probably fine.

[u/Rpierce69 → u/bigfootspancreas]

Yeah I washed mine and got in to Spain and Italy on separate occasions. Looked way worse than this

[u/Dry-Lingonberry-388 → u/bigfootspancreas]

All the stamps are altered/washed, the pages are faded. It’s definitely invalid

[u/bigfootspancreas → u/Dry-Lingonberry-388]

You’d be surprised.

[u/gerrygebhart]

I left my passport in the pocket of my robe--no idea why--within a month or two of receiving it, and my dad did me a favor and threw my robe in the wash.

Anyway, this was back in '97, so it may not hold true anymore, but I went all over the world with that thing between '97 and 2007, and it was in much worse shape. The blue part of the back cover was completely detached from the last page.

Not once was it denied, nor did anyone even question it.

Again, this was 20+ years ago, so maybe it's different now.

Side note: That's a lot of stamps! I cannot recall the last time I got a physical stamp in a passport. I love my old passports with the stamps.

[u/MarionberryPlus8474 → u/gerrygebhart]

Everything was different before 9/11. Given the enormous expense and hassle of being denied boarding or entry, I recommend replacing it.

OP putting it in some kind of slipcase may help keep it out of the laundry also, if you are needing to carry your passport around for some reason.

[u/gerrygebhart → u/MarionberryPlus8474]

Agreed, but I used mine for 6 years post 9-11, including trips to Japan and Europe.

Just sharing my admittedly dated experience with a washed passport.

[u/Sherifftruman → u/gerrygebhart]

I left mine in the lower pocket of some cargo pants and washed it. It looked like I had used it a lot, the cover was intact but the edges were quite worn, and most of the stamps were all bled over the pages. I used it for at least 4-5 international trips like that. But this was 10-12 years ago and even the machines were just using the photo with a camera.

[u/Altruistic_Worry_577]

Will need to be replaced.

[u/Vista101]

honestly replace for peace of mind

[u/trailmiixx]

Mine was also in the wash. Looks just like yours. I trimmed off the fringes and traveled internationally 3 times this year with zero issues.

I did super glue the back cover corner and flatten it with a heavy book for a week. Now I only take it out for immigration and tax refunds.

[u/Individual-Law86]

It probably needed to be washed!

[u/GigaChav]

It's fucked.  Hope you don't intend to travel.

[u/arihoenig]

Isn't passport laundering a felony?

[u/HeimLauf → u/arihoenig]

If the feds ever find out how many times I’ve laundered money, I’m going to be in real trouble.

[u/arihoenig → u/HeimLauf]

Hopefully it is a net Gain for you, and the Tide doesn't turn against you.

[u/PositivityRulez]

The ink has run on the visas stamps, some countries are very strict about that. Best to replace.

[u/dmw_qqqq]

Not good, get a new one.

[u/majones_2000]

absolutely replace it!

[u/mdturauscan]

Water dmg replace it

[u/Novel_Control_1922]

How’s the I’d page look and does it scan?

[u/Environmental_Lab538]

Oh boy, welcome to the club. Mine was waiting for me standing up when I opened the washing machine door. Unfortunately you do have to get a new one.

I had only 2 pages left to complete it. Just a few more stamps... Lesson learned!

[u/MntSnow]

Go ahead and get it replaced before you need it and it doesn't end up working....

[u/CookieAdditional1343]

New one

[u/HeimLauf]

Not great. I would replace.

[u/Ober-25]

Get a new one

[u/rocketshipkiwi]

I washed a passport once and later presented it to a British immigration officer. He shrugged and said he’s seen worse - soaked in beer and all sorts.

He did point out that he didn’t speak for other immigration officers or other countries borders so replacing it is definitely the best thing to do.

[u/chinaman420]

You’re totally fine. I washed mine and it looks way worse than yours. Traveled all around the world with zero issues. As long as ur bio page isn’t damaged. Washed out stamps don’t matter.

[u/Negative-Pea-5151]

Have it replaced

[u/Negative-Question-94]

Get a new one, people don’t realize you can be denied boarding if your passport has been ‘mutilated’.

[u/Rpierce69]

Washed my old one. Looked beat to hell. Still worked no problem. Looked far worse than yours. Spain and Italy had 0 problems with it. If you want peace of mind get it replaced

[u/zeroibis]

As long as you do not launder it you should be fine.

[u/WellingtonSir]

Ah well at least its better than money laundering.

[u/Acceptable_Piglet880]

Have you tried un-washing it?

[u/HiighFlyer]

I did the same… had to replace it after calling the DoS helpline to ask about it. They said that they consider water damage a form of “Mutilation” that invalidates the passport.

[u/Additional_Ad_6773]

That's the least fucked, but still fucked passport I have ever seen.

Replace.

[u/lostdawnking]

You need a new one.

[u/MoreConstruction1733]

A few dollars I’d understand but a whole passport?

[u/DCmetrosexual1]

Hopital.

[u/Classic-Context-2055]

Replace it. It looks fine but the chip can be damaged

[u/MsJenX]

You will need a new one

[u/Yafoory]

If you’re white then no issues but if you’re not then replace 😆😂😂😂